Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Davepeg on April 30, 2008, 09:18:57 am

Title: Rear ends in air?
Post by: Davepeg on April 30, 2008, 09:18:57 am

Here's a new one for me - I decided to "peek" inside the hives today - just took off the top cover - on the inside of my feeder boxes the bees were walking around with their rear ends up in the air - what the heck is that all about?

Title: Re: Rear ends in air?
Post by: KONASDAD on April 30, 2008, 09:23:47 am

nosanoving. sending their scent into the air to orient other bees. Happens when you open hive, and haooens more when you syart to deconstruct their home as in a removal. Hekps queen and other find each other during chaotic time.

Title: Re: Rear ends in air?
Post by: BeeHopper on April 30, 2008, 12:38:11 pm

What  :shock: All this time I thought they were telling me to kiss their...........nevermind  :oops:

Title: Re: Rear ends in air?
Post by: BMAC on April 30, 2008, 12:39:22 pm

Quote from: BeeHopper on April 30, 2008, 12:38:11 pm

What  :shock: All this time I thought they were telling me to kiss their...........nevermind  :oops:

You never know.  It could be dual purpose. :shock:

Title: Re: Rear ends in air?
Post by: Scadsobees on April 30, 2008, 01:17:05 pm

It is defense as well.  I notice that not only are they mooning me, they have their stinger pointing out.  Sorta like a porcupine.  I've always noticed the bee smell when I open them and associated it with "alarm".

Title: Re: Rear ends in air?
Post by: Pond Creek Farm on April 30, 2008, 11:33:54 pm

I saw the same thing when I opened my hive and posted the same question.  What I find interesting is that they do not do it every time I open the hive.  I think that is because at this time I still a medium full of honey on top of the brood boxes and not so many bees are up there.  Of course, I could be totally wrong.